Control of Pre-trial Detention Transferred to Justice Ministry

04.02.2004

Control of Pre-trial Detention Transferred to Justice Ministry

Pre-trial detention, once under the jurisdiction of the Interior Ministry, has now been moved to the jurisdiction of the Justice Ministry. This transfer of power is widely considered to be a positive step forward.

The pre-trial detention facility has a very bad reputation, and has been the location of numerous incidents of human rights violations and torture. The Interior Minister hopes that order will be again established in the facility and its disgraceful reputation repaired.

According to the Chairman of Penitentiaries, Department of Justice Minister Shota Kopadze, all types of suspects, regardless of their alleged crimes, will be put in pre-trial detention, which can hold up to 70 prisoners.